Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 operating system often seems
like a breath
of fresh air compared to the usual grid-based array of icons on competing
operating systems like Apple's iOS and Google's Android. The sleek Metro UI
interface, Live Tiles, and even the "cutoff text" gives it a unique
look in the smartphone space.

However, despite Microsoft's efforts to innovate with its
latest smartphone OS, it hasn't exactly seen sales success after nearly a year on the
market. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has lamented
the slow start for the Windows Phone 7 on
more than one occasion. Microsoft is now looking to reverse its fortunes
with Windows Phone 7.5, codenamed "Mango".

Whereas most Android smartphone users have to play the
waiting game to see if their device will support the next major software update
(or if they will receive it at all), Microsoft's strict hardware requirements
for Windows Phone 7 mean that Mango is now rolling
out across all major U.S. carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and
T-Mobile). There are also a slew
of new phones that are on the way with Mango preinstalled.

Some of the new features in Mango include:

Groups: You can
now group your contacts (think Google+ Circles with Work, Family, etc.) in a
Live Tile on the Start Screen

What's New?:
Current updates stream in via text, email, or social networks like Facebook and
Twitter

Multitasking:
Mango finally brings "intelligent" multitasking to the table and
operates similar to iOS and Android

New Bing tools:
Local Scout, as its name implies, allows you to search for local places and
activities. Bing Vision allows you to perform searches using your onboard
camera and translate text.

Internet Sharing:
Carriers can now give you the option to enable Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

Web Marketplace: Allows
you to search and purchase apps from your PC and have them wireless install to
your Mango phone. This video
explains the feature in great detail.

“One of the things I’m most proud about with Windows Phone
is that we took a different approach,” said Andy Lees, president of Microsoft’s
Windows Phone Division. “We looked around and saw that smartphones were largely
becoming application launchers, and consumers were left to navigate a sea of
icons and a grid of apps. We looked to build all the core things that consumers
want to do directly into the phone, and focus it all around people – not
icons.”

Microsoft still has a long way to go to get people to take
notice of Windows Phone 7.5, but the company is making sure that people that do
make the leap are in for a compelling experience. It's great to see competition
in the smartphone space, so hopefully the Nokia
mashup will give Microsoft some stronger footing against
Apple and Google.

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